More than six out of 10 consumers in France ages 11 and older said they had gone online within the past 30 days, according to a survey conducted by Médiamétrie in March 2008.

The figure is up nearly nine percent compared to the same period one year ago.

France deregulated its telecommunications market in 2004, leading to competition among Internet access providers. Broadband access has grown quickly in since then.

According to eMarketer's Online Video Advertising: Focus on the UK, France and Germany report, 52.4 percent of French households had a broadband connection in 2007. This figure will reach more than seven out of 10 by 2012, the report predicts.

Only few people in France use a dial-up connection. In March 2008, 93.5 percent of French at-home users enjoyed a broadband connection to the Internet, down slightly from 94.2 percent in the previous year.

However, since both overall Internet access and broadband access are growing, why did broadband dip slightly as a percentage of total Internet penetration?

According to Karin von Abrams, senior analyst at eMarketer, late Internet adopters may only have a dial-up connection because it is the easiest way to get wired. She also said that price is an important factor for many late adopters.

"Older users are finally being persuaded to connect but don't expect to be using the Internet very much, and so are not inclined to fork out for broadband unless they really need it," Ms. von Abrams added. "Very poor households also know it is important to have access but find it hard to pay for any extras like broadband."